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From the Horses' Mouth

I have always been at a loss to know why virtually nobody in the wind band world plays the music of Alec Wilder, so I was delighted when my reference to the immortal Horn Belt Boogie led to a correspondence with an old friend Robert Levy whom I had met at CBDNA

He writes:

I was the wind ensemble conductor and Director of Bands at Lawrence University in Appleton from 1979-2004. I followed Prof. Fred Schroeder who was in this position for 25 plus years and Andrew Mast currently is continuing our efforts in programming the finest in new wind/band repertoire.

A few minutes ago I viewed your website for the first time and was thrilled to see Alec Wilder among the composers. It was fascinating reading of your "history" in relation to having heard the Octets as a youngster.

Among my "projects" on his behalf have been the creation of the AW Centennial website...c hanged now to Preservation of his Life's work and music, producing an annual NY city concert of his works (April 26th marks the 26th annual one!), and the production of a pilot film (DVD) on his life. Ultimately, I hope to have a company produce a full length film on his life.

I'd like to bring to your attention which you might like to add to your website. First, I produced a CD of Wilder's wind music for Albany Records with Gunther Schuller as guest conductor. It can be found on the Albany Records website at: http://www.albanyrecords.com/ Included on the recording: Entertainment No. 1 for wind ensemble (premiered by Frederic Fennell at Eastman in the early 1960s, Children's Plea for Peace (Schuller, conducting), and 3 of the Wilder Octets.

Robert Levy

Many thanks, Robert, for putting us in touch with your site. Browsing through, one gets a wonderful picture of the man's life and work, and especially valuable is the article by Robert on performing his music.